Longtime TV reporter Robert Inman to discuss latest novel at library

By Andrea Honaker

Published: Friday, October 18, 2013 at 05:32 PM.

Q: What did you discover or learn from this book? A :“In writing this book and getting to know my character, I came away with the impression, the strong feeling that we need more women in politics and government in this country. I think women bring a unique perspective and approach that we really need a lot more of.”

Q: Who do you think would enjoy your most recent book? A: “Readers who are interested in a good story about people. Naturally, there will be some interest from people who like politics.”

Q: Speaking of experience as a journalist, what stories that you covered stand out most in your mind? A: “Channel 3 always sent me to cover national political conventions. Those stories always stand out to me as a time where you get to go to a place where things are happening. “I did a trip to Russia when Russia was just beginning to open up in the Gorbachev area. [He accompanied a group of Charlotte junior high and high school students.] Their wide-eyed look at this place that had been for all of their lives a mysterious and exotic place, and to go and meet Russian people and to learn that these people are pretty much like them.”

Q: Which of your books are you most proud of? A: “They’re all so different. Every book is a whole new experience. I don’t do sequels. I don’t do recurring characters. I’m always into doing something new. Each one is unique to me, and to my readers.”

Q: Where or how do you find inspiration as a writer? A:“It proceeds from character. I like people. I’m interested in people. All of my stories have to start with a person that bubbles out of my imagination. … When you finish the book, I want the character to stick with you.”

Q: What is your writing routine? A: “I’m a morning writer, and I got into the habit of that when I was working in television [on the 3 p.m. to midnight shift]. I don’t write for long periods of time on any given day. A couple hours and my characters have told me all they wanted to for the day, have something to come back to the next day.”

Robert Inman is no stranger to the world of politics. As a TV reporter in Montgomery, Ala., and then as a reporter/anchor for WBTV in Charlotte, he covered political stories on the local, state and national level.

Since 1996, he’s been writing full-time and has authored five books. In the latest, “The Governor’s Lady,” Inman used his knowledge of politics to create the unique characters and story.

Inman will appear at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Gaston County Public Library, 1555 E. Garrison Blvd. He will discuss the inspiration for his novel, how he wrote it and his approach to story-telling, and answer questions from the audience.

“The Governor’s Lady” is about a female politician named Cooper Lanier, who has been elected governor on the heels of husband Pickett’s term as he runs for president. Pickett plans to continue overseeing the state, but Cooper has her own ideas of how she will run things.

The idea for the book was sparked by the story of Alabama governor George Wallace and his wife, Lurleen. When George wasn’t re-elected, Lurleen ran for governor and won. But, Inman said that the characters in “The Governor’s Lady” are quite different. The Gazette talked with Inman recently about his new book and his career.

Question: Why did you want to write “The Governor’s Lady?”
Answer: “In a way, I’ve been writing this book most of my life. … I’ve always been intrigued by the personal stories behind the politics. [The book is] not about issues. It’s not about ideologies. I never name the political parties that these people [are]. Politics is the background; what’s important is the relationship. The goal was to make it interesting to people as a story about relationships.”

Q: How did your experiences as a journalist shape the content of the book?
A: “The big questions you ask are the how and the why. It’s easy to get the who, what, when. The how and why is the intriguing part. That helps to inform your writing as a fiction writer. I want to know the inside story. You have to have a lot of curiosity about people and things, or else you wouldn’t be a journalist.

Q: What did you discover or learn from this book?
A :“In writing this book and getting to know my character, I came away with the impression, the strong feeling that we need more women in politics and government in this country. I think women bring a unique perspective and approach that we really need a lot more of.”

Q: Who do you think would enjoy your most recent book?
A: “Readers who are interested in a good story about people. Naturally, there will be some interest from people who like politics.”

Q: Speaking of experience as a journalist, what stories that you covered stand out most in your mind?
A: “Channel 3 always sent me to cover national political conventions. Those stories always stand out to me as a time where you get to go to a place where things are happening.
“I did a trip to Russia when Russia was just beginning to open up in the Gorbachev area. [He accompanied a group of Charlotte junior high and high school students.] Their wide-eyed look at this place that had been for all of their lives a mysterious and exotic place, and to go and meet Russian people and to learn that these people are pretty much like them.”

Q: Which of your books are you most proud of?
A: “They’re all so different. Every book is a whole new experience. I don’t do sequels. I don’t do recurring characters. I’m always into doing something new. Each one is unique to me, and to my readers.”

Q: Where or how do you find inspiration as a writer?
A:“It proceeds from character. I like people. I’m interested in people. All of my stories have to start with a person that bubbles out of my imagination. … When you finish the book, I want the character to stick with you.”

Q: What is your writing routine?
A: “I’m a morning writer, and I got into the habit of that when I was working in television [on the 3 p.m. to midnight shift]. I don’t write for long periods of time on any given day. A couple hours and my characters have told me all they wanted to for the day, have something to come back to the next day.”

GETTING TO KNOW BOB INMAN
Favorite book and author? “‘Love in the Ruins’ by Walker Percy. He’s an elegant writer, just a wonderful storyteller.”Favorite movies? “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Home Fires Burning,” the first of his books to be made into a movie (by Hallmark).Favorite TV show? “The West Wing. It’s not only because of the political background but because it’s so well-written. It’s one of the cleverest shows I think that has ever been on television.”If you could have a lunch date with anyone, past or present, who would it be? “Benjamin Franklin. One of the most fascinating humans who has ever walked the earth. I love history, that was one of my minors in college. I think you have to know where you can come from before you can figure out where you are and where you’re going.”Favorite band/artist? “Allison Krauss and Union Station. I just love what she and her band do.”Hobbies?Bicycle rider, golf, interested in fitness.

For more information on Robert Inman and his books, visit robert-inman.com.